Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp with Dipping Sauce

Crispy Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp with Dipping Sauce: Easy Southern Comfort in Every Bite

When you’re craving something crispy, golden, and packed with bold Southern flavor, this air fryer popcorn shrimp recipe checks all the boxes.

It’s fast, simple to throw together, and doesn’t leave your kitchen smelling like a deep fryer.

Whether you’re feeding the family on a weeknight or dishing out snacks for a game day crowd, this recipe is a solid go-to that doesn’t disappoint.

More shrimp recipes:

• Creamy Shrimp Pasta
• Shrimp and Sausage Boil Foil Packets
• Pineapple Shrimp Skewers
• Shrimp Fried Rice
• Shrimp Deviled Eggs
• Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo

Who’s this recipe for?

This one’s for the folks who love shrimp but don’t want to deal with the mess of deep frying.

Busy parents, seafood lovers, Southern food fans—this recipe’s a winner for anyone looking for easy air fryer shrimp recipes with flavor.

It’s also great if you’re trying to make takeout favorites at home without the grease and guilt.

What makes this recipe different?

We’re not just tossing shrimp in plain breadcrumbs here.

The mix of Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, garlic, paprika, and a hit of both black and white pepper gives it that real Southern fried shrimp taste—without the oil bath.

Using panko breadcrumbs keeps things light and crispy, just the way popcorn shrimp should be.

And that simple shrimp dipping sauce?

It’s a mix of mayo, ketchup, and sweet chili sauce that adds just enough tang and sweetness to balance out the spice.

When should you make this?

This recipe works just about anytime:

• Weeknight dinner – Quick to make, easy to clean up.
• Game day appetizer – Serve it up with toothpicks and dipping sauce.
• Family seafood night – Pair with hush puppies, fries, or coleslaw.
• Lunchbox leftovers – Reheat in the air fryer and toss into a wrap or salad.

It’s one of those recipes that fits just as easily on a tailgate table as it does on a casual dinner plate.

Where can this be served?

Popcorn shrimp travels well, so pack it up for a picnic, serve it at a backyard cookout, or plate it up at the kitchen table.

You can even make a batch and toss it into a po’boy sandwich with lettuce and tomato for a true Southern-style meal.

These are also great on top of a crisp salad with ranch or remoulade dressing if you’re going for something a little lighter.

Why you’ll want to make this on repeat

• No deep fryer needed – All the crunch, none of the splatter.
• Packed with flavor – That Southern seasoning blend sets this apart.
• Family-approved – Even picky eaters tend to go for these.
• Budget-friendly shrimp recipe – A pound of shrimp goes a long way here.
• Better than takeout – Quicker and healthier, too.

How to make it work for you

The best part? You can adjust this recipe to fit your taste.

Want more spice? Bump up the Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne.

Serving a crowd? Double the batch and keep the cooked shrimp warm in the oven while the next round air fries.

Don’t skip the resting time before cooking—letting the breading sit helps it crisp up even better.

Tip: If you’re short on time, you can prep the breaded shrimp ahead and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.

Whether you serve it with fries, coleslaw, or on its own with that creamy dipping sauce, this air fryer popcorn shrimp recipe is one of those dishes you’ll come back to again and again.

Quick, simple, and full of Southern flavor—that’s how we do it.

Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp

Ingredients:

• 1lb shrimp, deveined, peeled, cleaned, thawed
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups panko bread crumbs
• 1 tsp Old Bay
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp white pepper
• Olive Oil nonstick cooking spray

Instructions:

Add cleaned shrimp to a bowl.

Mix all of the seasonoings together and sprinkle 1/4 of the seasoning on the shrimp.

Mix well.

Add 1/4 seasoning to the flour, then sprinkle over the shrimp and toss coating each.

Add remaining seasoning to the bread crumbs.

Beat the egg and now you should have 3 bowls: Seasoned Shrimp with Flour, Beaten Eggs, and Panko.

Dip each shrimp in the egg mixture then in breading.

Set aside while the air fryer heats (this gives the breading time to stick).

Heat the air fryer to 400 degrees.

Spray the basket or air fryer sheets with non-stick.

Lay down the shrimp, non-stacked.

Cook for 4 mins on each side, spray with Olive oil spray when flipping.

Repeat for each batch (I had 3 batches).

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Dipping sauce pictured:

• ½ cup mayo
• 3 tbsp ketchup
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp

1. Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, but make sure the shrimp is completely thawed, peeled, and deveined before breading. Frozen shrimp will release too much moisture in the air fryer and can make the breading soggy.

2. What’s the best size shrimp to use for popcorn shrimp?
Look for small to medium shrimp, often labeled 51/60 or 41/50 count per pound. These bite-sized shrimp cook quickly and are perfect for that popcorn-style crunch.

3. How long do you cook popcorn shrimp in the air fryer?
Typically, 4 minutes per side at 400°F works well. Cook in a single layer and flip halfway through for even crispiness.

4. Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of panko?
You can, but panko breadcrumbs give a much crispier texture. If you only have regular breadcrumbs, consider toasting them first for better crunch.

5. How do I keep the breading from falling off?
Let the breaded shrimp rest for a few minutes before air frying. This helps the coating stick better. Also, don’t skip the egg—it acts as glue between the flour and breadcrumbs.

6. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, just use gluten-free flour and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. Double-check your seasonings and sauces to make sure they’re gluten-free as well.

7. What dipping sauce goes best with popcorn shrimp?
A mix of mayo, ketchup, and sweet chili sauce makes a creamy, tangy dip that pairs perfectly. You can also try ranch, spicy remoulade, honey mustard, or a Cajun aioli.

8. Can I reheat air fryer popcorn shrimp?
Yes, reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 2-3 minutes to keep them crispy. Avoid microwaving—they’ll turn soggy.

9. Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes, you can bread the shrimp and keep them in the fridge (covered) for up to 4 hours before cooking. This actually helps the coating stick better.

10. What sides go well with popcorn shrimp?
Try coleslaw, French fries, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, or a simple green salad. You can also turn these into shrimp po’boys with sandwich rolls, lettuce, tomato, and sauce.